Trilliums in the Woods

I have been aware of woods on the northern fringes of the town, but I have never figured out how to access them. We did try once and got to a tiny parking lot before we were denied entry onto a narrow and steep path by a fallen tree. Another time, I glanced around for another entrance but didn't see a place to park. However, when someone recently posted photos on fb, I looked it up on Google Maps, and found new directions.

That was Tuesday evening, so on Wednesday morning, I grabbed the camera. Although I knew where I was going (it's a smallish town after all), I plugged St James Woods into Apple Maps to be sure, and got nada. I then put it in Google Maps, and off I went.

I did forget my cane, but I was ambling slowly, pretty much like I do in the grocery store, so I wasn't really hampered.

A lady who was talking her dog asked if I had found any pictures. I replied that I had just passed a couple of trilliums. She said there were more ahead, and I found a pretty nice patch.

I really didn't know if I was going to bother with my annual trillium shoot this year, for I was a bit tired of trying to photograph scrubby patches by the roadsides with my telephoto lens. It was nice to get near these flowers in a pleasant woodsy area with a normal lens. I didn't fuss much over the photos, but I am happy enough with these two that I did capture.

I stopped to photograph a few wildflowers. I guess it would have been better with my macro lens, but one makes do.

This flower ↓ is a violet according to info from an iPhone shot although I took it with my Canon. I didn't know that violets did not have to be ... um ... violet.

Garlic Mustard, according to Apple.

Elderberry

The insects were not too hellacious, but I imagine they soon will be, especially with days of rain a'comin.

MDay52

My shaky math tells me that this was Sue's 52nd Mother's Day as a mother.

As I have previously posted, the weekend began early as always, with breakfast out. On Saturday, Sue and Sha visited the two art galleries in town and then enjoyed coffee at the Blue Spoon. They followed that up with a trip to the nursery where Sha had Sue pick out two hanging baskets: gifts from her and the kids. Planters for Mother's Day have also become a little tradition in the past few years.

On Sunday, JJ volunteered to help in the garden, and Danica also dropped by for a little visit before heading off to work. Before that happened, Sue and I did one of our car coffees. Actually, some it the coffee was consumed while sitting on a park bench overlooking the river.

Going back to the girls' visit to the art galleries, Sue was surprised to see the name of Arial on some art, I think including the pieces at the bottom of the following collage. 

Arial, and I had probably taught for at least 15 years in the same school in Southwestern Ontario, actually two schools at different times. She was an art teacher and I an English and geography teacher. It's not that were good friends, but we were colleagues, and Sue and I purchased a print from Arial (not Arial's art) and had Arial frame it for us. I also taught three of her children in my geography classes although I forget at least one of their names.

Here we are more than 600k (almost 400 miles) from there, both finding our way to the Ottawa Valley. We've never met here and likely never will, but it's still an interesting connection.

The Jock River Paddle ii

I'll begin this second post of Jock River Paddle photos with another distant shot. I really like the smoothness and colour of the water in this photo along with the super reflections from the lead canoe. and it's red too: bonus.

Then, I returned to the closer photos. This young paddler looked to be having a great time.

At the other end of the age spectrum, not everyone had big smiles. Not everyone smiles, even if they are enjoying themselves. I am not a big smiler, so I understand this.

It was a friendly affair, and this lady conversed with friends who were on the bridge.

This fellow was really concentrating,

The canoes and kayaks were still coming, but I figured that I had enough photos of people whom I didn't know, so I departed. Upon driving into my driveway, I was most pleasantly surprised to see that some of the tulips had opened, and they looked so wonderful with their pretty faces turned toward the sun.

After such a pleasant time shooting the paddlers, seeing the tulips was icing on the cake on a very pleasant morning.

The Jock River Paddle i

I have been aware  of this event, the Jock River Paddle, some some years, but I have never gotten out to photograph it. I would forget or the day would have been less that glorious. But this year, I had it on my calendar, so when it popped up, and the day looked fine, I headed out. I didn't have much lead time, and Sue had things to do, so this was a solo endeavour.

I had expected it to be a race, but it turned out to be a community gathering for a pleasant paddle from the Beckwith Township municipal building to Ashton where at least some paddlers might have enjoyed refreshments at the Ashton Station, an English-style pub.

Everyone seemed joyous and quite happy to be photographed, so here we go.

They came around the bend in pairs or in groups. I think these were two of the largest groups to approach the little bridge on which I was standing.

I singled out this one paddler, partly because I like the wake or ripples that he made. Of course, I also like his smile.

Speaking of smiles, you can't do much better than this.

As you can see from the smiling lady above and will also see from below, I switched from photographing the farther scene to capturing the people as they approached the bridge. For the most part, the camera also picked up pretty good reflections from this angle.

One couple brought their dog, but he didn't look overjoyed to me.

These three kids did the paddling, pulling a mother along and casting a very nice reflection.

This fellow was letting it all hang out.

This is part i. I will show a few more tomorrow as well as the surprise sight that awaited me when I pulled into the driveway at home.

Mothers I Have Known

In honour of Mother's Day, I thought that I would post a couple of pictures of Sue and our two daughters. The first is possibly from 1983 and the second from 1979.

I also have uncovered a few photos of my mother with the kids, the first with Shauna from maybe 1975 and the second with Allyson circa 1980.

The final one also includes my dad along with the kids and the two mothers, possibly 1981.

What the heck: one more from 1974.

Tulips and Guns

After taking pictures of the red dresses, I glanced across the street toward the Cenotaph where orange tulips lined the pathway toward the monument. Orange tulips. the Cenotaph, and guns seemed like an unlikely mix, so I wandered over and took a few phone photos.

I didn't know if the orange tulips represented something specific in this military and memorial context. I don't think they do, for all I could find was this.

Orange tulips generally symbolize enthusiasm, passion, and desire, conveying a message of energy and excitement. They are often given to express admiration or celebrate achievements. Unlike red tulips which represent romantic love, orange tulips offer a more vibrant and playful sentiment. They can also signify understanding and appreciation between individuals, according to Petal Talk - 1800 Flowers. (Google AI Overview)

 

Red Dress Project

It was another Meh Day, weatherwise at least, but we did our walky regardless, and it wasn't too meh. This time, we headed downtown because I wanted to see if there were red dresses hanging outside of Zion Memorial church. Although I had just heard of the installation yesterday morning, May 8th, I later learned that the official Red Dress Day had occurred on the 5th, as it does on every year although this is new to me.

The national day of awareness and remembrance, known as Red Dress Day, was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black after she created the REDress project — an art installation of red dresses hanging in public spaces that serve as a visual reminder of the Indigenous women and girls who are no longer with us.

There were various windblown displays on the lawn; Sue captured some of them while I stood there, hands in pockets. I knew that she would cover the subject thoroughly and that there was, therefore, no need for me to duplicate her effort.

This is the same socially conscious church that serves a free, hot lunch weekly. Good for them.